Bahrain Steel, a leading producer and global supplier of high grade iron-ore pellets and a subsidiary of Foulath Holding, has announced that it has registered a record production of 12 million tonnes of iron-ore pellets in 2021.

Now operating over the rated production capacity of 11 million tonnes, Bahrain Steel is better positioned than ever to meet customer demand and to support global post-pandemic economic recovery.

Meshary Al Judaimi

Increased output also enables the company to help facilitate the transition towards carbon neutrality, which is dependent on significant increase in the use of pellets for more clean and sustainable production of steel around the world.

This milestone also aligns to the kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030, Economic Recovery Plan and the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-26), which call for an increase in the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP, exports and job creation, with Bahrain Steel already contributing more than 4 per cent of GDP and 25 per cent to the country’s non-oil exports as well as employing 260 Bahraini nationals.

Record production was achieved by meticulous strategic planning and supported by collaborations with the Bahraini group’s supply chain partners including a watershed agreement signed in 2019, when production stood at 8 million tonnes per annum, with Anglo American Marketing Ltd, the global mining giant.

This strategic 20-year agreement secured a majority of Bahrain Steel’s required pellet feed for full production capacity at 12 million tonnes, ensuring uninterrupted delivery to its customers which include some of the world’s leading steel producers across the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, North America, Malaysia, South Korea and China, among others.

Dilip George

On the deal, Foulath and Bahrain Steel Chairman Meshary Al Judaimi said: “We’re delighted with this milestone, despite the challenging conditions of last 24 months as a result of the pandemic.”

“We view Foulath and Bahrain Steel as pillars to the development of the region’s steel industry. As the only GCC owned pellet producer and a reliable supplier to all regional steel manufacturers, Bahrain Steel’s ability to meet increasing demand for pellets in greener steel production is inextricably linked with sustainable economic growth, both in the region and around the world,” stated Al Judaimi.

“We look forward to continuing to support our customers and to enhancing capacity in line with the requirements of the customers we serve,” he noted.

Group CEO Dilip George said the company had successfully implemented a strategic shift since 2019 focused on customer centricity as a core value and driver of growth. “With this change in strategy, and the strong partnership with Anglo American, we were able to increase production by an impressive 50 per cent compared to 2019, strengthening our position as a leading global supplier of high quality DR pellets,” remarked George.

Commending the dedication of its staff and valued partners, George said: “The confidence of our shareholders and the conducive business environment offered by the kingdom have all been the building blocks of our success which will continue to guide our journey.”